Parents

First Year, Month by Month

We believe that parents can help their children succeed in their first year of college. To that end, we want you to be aware of the emotions your child may experience throughout their first academic year at NNU.

September

Excitement

Testing new-found freedom

Frequent calls and visits home

Homesickness and loneliness

Anxiety about roommates, professors, classes

First exams

October

Roommate problems begin to arise

Students begin to question: "Do I fit in here?"

First test grades returned

Midterm exams

Love relationships from home remain strong, or fall apart (this is usually the time high school sweet hearts break up)

Consequences of decision-making are experienced

November

Midterm grades returned

Roommate challenges become more clear

Many exams and papers due before Thanksgiving

Excitement and/or anxiety regarding going home for Thanksgiving

First series of campus-wide illness (cold, flu, strep, etc.)

December

Anxiety over preparing for finals

Excitement and/or anxiety regarding going home for the holidays

Sadness about leaving new friendships and/or love relationships

January

"Fresh Start" mentality sets in with new term

Satisfaction and/or disappointment with fall term grades

Homesickness

Loneliness for love relationship back home

Relief being away from home and back at school

February

Feelings of claustrophobia and depression set in with winter

Potential increase in alcohol and other substance abuse

Challenges with love relationship back home

Valentine's Day brings out loneliness and isolation

March

Anxiety regarding finding roommate(s) for next year

Excitement and/or disappointment regarding Spring Break plans

Midterm exam stress

Concern over summer employment

Concern over winter weight gain

April

Excitement with arrival of spring

Concern over declaring major

End of semester pressure

May

Final exam anxiety

Apprehension about returning home for summer

Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or love relationships at school

Realization of how college influences life decisions

Citation: Mullendore, R.H., & Hatch, C. (2000). Helping your first-year college student succeed: A guide for parents. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.